Even if you love visiting Mickey and Minnie in Orlando, odds are youโre not too keen on the idea of mice or rats sharing your home. Many people have an inherent dislike or fear of mice and rats and, considering how dangerous they can be to humans, thatโs understandable. A rat or mouse infestation isn’t only messy, it is hazardous. Rodents can chew on wires, cause a mess with their droppings, and even damage the structure of your business. With rodent infestations on the rise in 2021 and into the next year, it’s important to learn how to prevent these pests in your home. The experts at Florida Pest Control are here to helpโread on to learn about the top threats that rodents pose.
Dangerous Rodents in Florida
Mice, rats, and the parasites that come with them can carry a number of diseases, some of which are potentially deadly to humans, like hantavirus, listeria, rat-bite fever, and salmonellosis, and even the bubonic plague. Admittedly, most of these diseases are more common in other parts of the world than they are in Florida, but it should help you understand why people and non-domesticated rodents should maintain separate residences.
Mice and ratsย can also play a large role in contributing to dangerous allergies. A national study detected mouse urine levels that could trigger allergies in 35% of homes. Trace amounts or higher were found in 82% of homes. Mouse droppings are also an allergy issue. There are as many people allergic to mouse droppings as there are to mold and dust. Exposure to mouse allergen is a known cause of asthma in children and adults.
Additionally, rodents eat just about anythingโincluding items in your home. Their teeth can gnaw through insulation, wallboards, cardboard, even wood. Some are especially fond of electrical wiring and that can lead to real danger. Exposed wires resulting from mice are believed to cause 25% of U.S. house fires!
How to Keep House Mice & Rats Out
If you want to stay safe from the dangers of house mice and rats, it’s important to prevent them in the first place. Once they get indoors, rats and mice are likely to hide away in your attic, kitchen, garage, and other places where they can stay warm and have access to food. Exclusion is the key to getting rid of rat problems for good:
- Inspect your property to look for any openings rodents may have snuck through. By sealing these openings and closing up gaps around vents and soffits, you can effectively keep rodents out.
- Further rat-proof your property by repairing your roof and monitoring drains. By limiting their access points, you can get rid of the means by which rodents get inside of your property.
- Look into traps and baits. If you have just a couple of rodents in your property, you can effectively get rid of them using bait or traps. Keep in mind this is not a strong enough solution to get rid of an entire infestation.
- Get professional rodent control services. If you have a serious rodent problem, the best thing you can do is hire a pest control expert. A professional will know to safely and effectively get rid of the pests for good.
Get Rid of Dangerous Rodents For Good
Many people believe if theyโve never seen a mouse or rat in their home, theyโre not there. Thatโs overly optimistic. Rodents can be quite secretive and live in your home for a long time without you noticing. Even if theyโre not in your home yet, they soon could be.
Florida Pest Control offersย rodent control and exclusion services. Our experts are trained to locate areas of rodent activity and potential rodent entry points. Contact Florida Pest Control today and we will perform a rodent control inspection to ensure you, your family, and your home are protected.